Federal Road Safety Corps pledge inclusive driving policy for women

Blessing Onyedinma, 28, a Danfo (minibus) driver, poses for a photograph next to a minibus in in Ikeja Underbridge bus stop in Lagos, on February 21, 2025. (Photo by OLYMPIA DE MAISMONT / AFP)

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) is to revise its policies to better accommodate and empower female drivers across the country.

Speaking at the maiden edition of the “Women on Wheels” summit on Tuesday in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, the FRSC Corps Marshal, Malam Shehu Mohammed, represented by the Deputy Corps Marshal (DCM) in charge of Planning, Research and Statistics (PRS), Mr Clement Oladele, described the initiative as a transformative platform for promoting gender inclusion, skill development and safety.

According to him, the recent evaluations revealed that the Road Transport Safety Standardisation Scheme (RTSSS), used for training and certifying haulage and fleet operators, had previously made no tailored provision for women.

This, he submitted was a gap the corps was now addressing.

“Considering the importance of women in the society being the primary source of the socialisation process for children and families, the inculcation of safe driving habits and safe road use to them becomes crucial.

“It is notable that as at January 2025, there are 1,225,704 licensed female drivers in Nigeria. When unlicensed female drivers are added, the figures will undoubtedly be much more.

“As you are all aware that Road Traffic Injuries are leading cause of deaths among young people aged five to 29 years (these are our sons and daughters).

“What future does the country have, if our youths are wasted on the highway in their prime through mishaps that could have been avoided?

“We are, therefore, reviewing the policy document for inclusivity. There is the need for formal training and licensing,” he added.

Shehu said that the corps was concerned that many women still prefer informal training from spouses or relatives, rather than enrolling in certified driving schools under the Driving School Standardisation Programme (DSSP).

Speaking further, he said “This does not ensure comprehensive understanding of safety. We urge women to attend certified driving schools and become fully trained.

“Women on Wheels” is more than a programme – it is a movement. It is about empowering women to take control of their journey, to challenge outdated norms and to contribute meaningfully to road safety, transportation and national development.

“It is my fervent hope that this initiative will not end here. “Women on Wheels” will now become an annual programme, providing consistent support, training, and recognition for women in mobility across Nigeria.

“The corps remains committed to supporting and licensing qualified female drivers. The Federal Road Safety has developed standard curriculum for all driving,” he said.

Assuring that the outcomes of the programme would be reviewed for potential adoption in future FRSC policy decisions, the corps marshal said that FRSC has already recruited female drivers into its operational team and encouraged more women to see driving as a dignified and promising vocation.

“Women are naturally careful and responsible on the road. This initiative is a step toward positioning them not just as drivers but as leaders in transportation and road safety,” he submitted.

Also at the event through her remarks, the President of the Road Safety Officers Wives Association (ROSOWA), Dr Nafisat Shehu-Mohammed, announced plans to take its “Women on Wheels” programme to the grassroots as part of efforts to reach more women with road safety education and empowerment.

She stressed the need to extend the programme beyond urban centres to ensure rural women benefit from the campaign emphasising that sensitising grassroots women would help improve awareness of road safety, licensing requirements, and driving skills, particularly among those who have not undergone formal training.

“We’re just kicking off in Abuja, but in the near future we intend to hold it twice a year and take it to the grassroots.

“Many women in rural areas do not have access to phones or digital platforms. Reaching them directly is vital, because that is where the masses are,” she concluded.

Also at the event through her goodwill message, President, National Council of Women’s Societies, (NCWS), Mrs Ednah Azura, expressed its commitment to expand the reach of the “Women on Wheels” initiative through nationwide mobilisation and advocacy, describing the event as a landmark step toward empowering Nigerian women, especially in the transport and road safety sectors.

“As the umbrella body of all women’s organisations in Nigeria, we see this as a model initiative. With what ROSOWA has done, our job now is to focus on mass mobilisation.

“We’ll take this message to every part of the country and ensure it is heard even at the global level,” she submitted.

She advised women to become more informed and proactive in areas beyond mobility, including politics and self-representation during elections.

According to reports the “Women on Wheels” campaign, initiated by ROSOWA in collaboration with the Corps Transport Safety Office (CTSO) of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), seeks to reduce the number of unlicensed and untrained female drivers on Nigerian roads through advocacy, training, and support programmes.

Below are some interesting facts about "Women on Wheels" initiative and road safety in Nigeria:

1.     The Gender Gap in Driving – Historically, driving has been male-dominated in many parts of the world, but Nigeria now has over 1.2 million licensed female drivers as of January 2025, and this number is steadily growing.

2.     Women & Road Safety – Studies in various countries suggest that women tend to be more cautious and less likely to engage in risky driving behaviors compared to men, which is why empowering women in transportation can contribute to safer roads.

3.     Nigeria’s Road Transport Safety Initiative – The FRSC has taken steps to revise its Road Transport Safety Standardisation Scheme (RTSSS) to make it more inclusive for women, ensuring better training and certification.

4.     Impact of Informal Learning – Many women in Nigeria still learn to drive informally from spouses or relatives instead of attending certified driving schools, which can affect their understanding of road safety and regulations.

5.     The "Women on Wheels" Movement – This program is not just a one-time event—it is set to become an annual initiative aimed at empowering and training female drivers across Nigeria.

This “Women On Wheels” initiative is an exciting step toward increasing female participation in the transport sector and making the roads safer for everyone!